The phrase was an apparent reference to “go raibh maith agat, Ceann
Comhairle”, which means “thank you, speaker” in Irish.

When Mr Campbell then asked Ms Ni Chuilin about a minority languages’
strategy, the Sinn Fein minister refused to answer the question, saying
that Mr Campbell’s behaviour was not “befitting a member of the
assembly”.

“If it’s anything to go by what you just did, we don’t need a strategy
for pure ignorance,” she said.

“Gregory Campbell’s utterly disrespectful comments in the Assembly
chamber in relation to the Irish language have quite rightly sparked
anger from the Irish community and others,” said Ms McCorley.

She added, “Everyone has the right to speak Irish and thousands of
people do on a daily basis, regardless of whether Gregory likes it or
not. No amount of politically motivated posturing will deter Sinn Fein
from promoting the Irish language and continuing to lobby for the rights
of Irish speakers.”

She said it was “nothing new” from the DUP who, she said, had blocked
the development on an Irish language act for the North. Legislation had
been due to be introduced following the signing of the Good Friday
Agreement in 1998.

Ms McCorley said the DUP had a long history of insults to the Irish
speaking community.

“While this might be funny in Gregory’s little closed world, it is
hugely insulting to all of those who promote the huge benefits of
endorsing and enhancing bilingualism in our society especially in our
children.”